A derelict listed building and former factory in Westbury will be transformed into affordable housing after five years of unsuccessful planning applications.

Frogmore House is an early Victorian two-storey detached villa next to the former Peter Black cosmetics factory in Frogmore Road.

The house was bought by McCarthy & Stone Development, who have a number of sheltered housing complexes in Wiltshire, including one on the former Gifford's GP Surgery in Lowbourne, Melksham, back in 2004.

But the company had five planning applications for sheltered housing refused by the former West Wiltshire District Council. The last application to build 35 sheltered apartments and 22 residential apartments was rejected on the basis of inadequate affordable housing in March last year.

McCarthy & Stone Development opted to sell the house to Selwood Housing, which had its application to create 30 homes for affordable rent and 56 car parking spaces approved.

The development will see the factory demolished and 29 new homes built in its place and Frogmore House converted from an office into a five-bedroom house.

Rebecca O'Neil, spokesman for Selwood Housing, said: “Once completed the new homes will be available to rent though homes4wiltshire.

“There will be one five-bedroom house that will have an area of 228 square metres, seven three-bedrooms houses, 12 two-bedroom houses, four two-bedroom apartments and six one-bedroom apartments.

“Frogmore House will be converted into a five-bedroom house and the remaining warehouses will be demolished and new homes built on that land which will form a small landscaped cul-de-sac.

“The new homes will be built to use energy and resources as efficiently as possible, minimising their impact on the environment and reducing the utility bills for the residents.

Mike Hawkins, Westbury mayor, said: “Affordable housing is essential for the town and that site has been derelict for so long it will be nice to see it back in use.”